Faculty of Information and Communication Technology facing socio-economic challenges
Information society
Information has always been a precious commodity. However, it has never been so widely available as it is now. Almost anywhere in the world. We have become an information society that needs, and is also able to, make better and better use of information systems and telecommunications services. They allow not only long-distance communication, but also the sending of information from any place on earth with the use of mobile devices. Therefore, modern society makes use of systems which allow the storage, transmission and processing of information. The efficiency of our societies depends on the safe and reliable operation of these systems. The challenge is to expand the scope of resources, ensuring access to verifiable and correct information.
Industry 4.0
As our society develops, it enters the fourth industrial revolution, often referred to as "Industry 4.0". It is based on fifth and higher generation communication systems and on the Internet of Things (IoT), supported by artificial intelligence. Industry 4.0 changes not only technologies, but most of all business models and expectations towards employees. The revolution will be based on data that will be acquired, collected and processed at every stage of business activity. Companies will use modern technologies, cloud computing, big data, Internet of Things, augmented reality, artificial intelligence and 3D printing.
Technology should take into account proper interaction with humans. Therefore, it is necessary to study the aspects of communication and interaction between humans and computers, or more broadly: between humans and complex robotic environments. The barriers to the development of Industry 4.0 are primarily related to the access to educated human resources. This is understandable given high expectations regarding interdisciplinary competences represented by engineers.
Science faces challenges
The future presents European science with three key challenges:
- Development of disruptive innovations – breakthrough innovations that will change the existing market relationships by introducing something completely new.
- Biologization of technology – application of biological laws governing the processes taking place in living organisms to other fields.
- Public security – new quality and innovative solutions in the IT security (including in the context of cyber attacks), in road, rail and air transport systems security, in the security of municipal infrastructure, as well as in the security of water and electricity supply.
Research and tuition at a high level
A special role in overcoming the barriers to the development of Industry 4.0 will be played by universities, whose statutory tasks include research and high-level education. These tasks are equally important. There is no high-quality teaching without research. There is no scientific research and economic development without properly educated staff. It is the research universities that will break the main barriers of the fourth industrial revolution. When looking at its human and social capital, as well as its research and teaching infrastructure, it is clear that Wrocław University of Science and Technology must be involved in this group. These important tasks in overcoming barriers are performed by faculties. It is their responsibility, and above all of the newly established Faculty of Information and Communication Technology.
One Faculty, eight departments
The Faculty consists of the departments of Wrocław University of Science and Technology: Electronics, Computer Science and Management, and Fundamental Problems of Technology.
Research will be conducted in the following departments: Department of Control Systems and Mechatronics, Department of Computer Engineering, Department of Systems and Computer Networks, Department of Telecommunications and ICT, Department of Computer Science and Systems Engineering, Department of Applied Informatics, Department of Computational Intelligence, and Department of Fundamentals of Computer Science.
This means that they will cover most of the areas directly related to Industry 4.0. The departments will carry out both basic and implementation research, and will also focus on active cooperation with the industry and on commercialising the research results. They will be a guarantee that the research will cover most of the areas directly related to Industry 4.0.
Our main goal is to provide favourable conditions for scientific development, especially for young researchers, and a transparent career path in science. We will conduct research in all disciplines related to IT.
The academic staff are aware that the Faculty is founded on high-quality and modern teaching which meets the needs of the changing world. Tuition will be performed in 12 Polish and English fields of study: Computer Science, Computer Security, Cybersecurity, Information Technology in Automation Systems, Algorithmic Computer Science, Applied Computer Science, Technical Computer Science, System Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, ICT, Telecommunications, Trusted AI Systems. The list of study fields will be successively modified in response to the challenges posed by socio-economic conditions.
The Faculty of Information and Communication Technology will perform research in the rapidly developing fields of computer science related to Industry 4.0. As a result, we will be able to offer modern teaching solutions that meet the socio-economic needs of the information society. Friendly conditions for the development of young researchers will create an opportunity for the Faculty to dynamically develop and to train well-educated young scientists who will raise to the IT-related challenges posed by the modern world.
We look forward to working with you!